If you’re going away, you need to know your creatures and home are left with someone reliable and trustworthy, someone who’ll keep in touch with you, and deal with anything that crops up.
As one of life’s natural nomads, my free-range lifestyle is particularly suited to house and pet sitting. Over the last year alone I’ve cared for all sorts of critters. The main exception are the feline variety, unfortunately, as Taz goes berserk around cats.
I have oodles of experience with dogs, and a little knowledge of sheep, chickens, horses, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, goldfish, rats, mice, snakes and even giant snails. My step-mum is a sheep farmer and the family farm has lots of chickens, five pigs, four dogs and three ponies, as well as around seventy sheep. I’ve helped out since I was in my teens and am comfortable with the practical, pragmatic, ‘boots-on-and-get-stuck-in’ life on a farm.
When house-sitting, I’m clean, careful, conscientious and respectful. I don’t let people down and, if I say I’ll be there or do something, my word is something you can rely on. I generally make certain that the house is even cleaner when its residents return than it was on their departure. Also there are house-sits where I’ve done gardening and decorating projects too, and I love the simplicity of practical, hands-on work.
Prices for pet sits
Per 24 hour period | House-sit including 1 dog | £25 |
+ each additional dog | £5 | |
+ each additional pen/hutch/run of small mammals or livestock | £3 |
In the last year alone, I’ve done pet sits for two whippets, a teacup Yorkshire terrier, a rottie lurcher, two jack russels, two greyhounds, a Welsh collie, a German Shepherd cross Blue Merle collie, a miniature schnauzer and a black lab cross bearded collie.
Here are photos of past pet sits and some adventures Taz & I have had doing them across Devon:
Taz and Bertie looking forward to walkies Flaki doing a Yoda impression Flaki and Heron asleep on my lap Three peas in a pod: Heron, Taz and Delilah Luna giving me a bit of love Taz and I enjoying Ludwell Valley in Exeter Give us a smile, Gavin (yes, that is really his name) Alfie enjoying swimming after a stick Ivybridge Taz & Flaki trying to send me psychic messages that it must be time for dinner Little Bets enjoying a read of Gilead Taz, Teddy, Betty and Charlie on Exmouth beach Miss Betty ready for a belly rub Taz & Alfie reclined in the back after a soggy walk The giant’s toes of Haytor with Teddy and Betty Autumnal views off the side of Haytor with Taz, Teddy and Betty Charlie, Betty and I gazing out across Tottisford reservoir
Click here: To read reviews on my Trusted Housesitters profile page